10 Responses

Ayup, you did. That’s how I knew to pull the news out of a comment and make it more prominent in its own post. I was assuming that others may not have gotten to the business section yet today, which was the case with me.

OK, I hope this isn’t a stupid comment, but I’m confused. There’s an “about us” section on the Web site that says the restaurant was created by two Australians, in Australia. So is the Lark Street location a franchise itself? Who’s really behind it?

Copperpot, my guess from reading that section is the clue lies in the phrase “as the legend goes” – also, did you read the article that Steve mentions above – it actually is two “mates” who started it, but they’re Americans……..hope this helps a bit!

–“That’s not what Lark Street is about,” said Karen Christina Jones, a local filmmaker who lives nearby. “To come in with that type of facade and advertising says to me that they’re corporate, and we don’t want corporate on Lark Street.”–

It’s a tough call, I guess, because places like Ben & Jerry’s and Dunkin Donuts are clearly corporate, but they have been on Lark for as long as I can remember and I’ve never thought it was weird. But then when a place like Jackbit goes in, it just seems odd to me. So I can see the point Karen Jones is making – still she does come off as kind of snarky. And again – why not complain about DD and Ben & Jerry’s also?

Great points. J&J loses a lot of its supposed “authenticity” by stating that its ultimate goal is franchising, and that neither of the owners has anything to do with Australia. Heck, I have friends from Trinidad. If I bake some donuts, and they like the donuts, that doesn’t give me the skills to open a Trinidadian restaurant, throw a bunch of Trini words around, and call myself a native. While the place may have great sandwiches, the whole concept sounds fake to me.

“Karen” needs to lighten up. Jackbit fills a need (quick, inexpensive, but YUMMY and FRESH lunch/dinner joint that doesn’t involve pizza), and I personally was very excited about the opening. I’ve tried the Manhattan chowder, the eggplant jaffle (can’t remember the name off-hand) and the Irish Sanger — all were delicious. I can’t wait to try the fries, and I still want to try the NE chowder as well. And the chili. 🙂

While I was glad you finally acknowledged that J&J has great sandwiches, I was disheartened to learn that you won’t be opening a Trinidad themed restaurant any time soon. I’m sure Trinidad donuts would be a big hit here, especially with you in the kitchen. As the “corporate entity in charge” you’d find out pretty fast that people don’t just buy donuts, the buy the whole package: Ambience, name, cleanliness, friendliness of staff, etc. It’s called brand. In your generic version of Lark Street, or even Times Square, the shoe store is called “Shoes for Sale.” The coffee bar is called “Coffee for sale.” And the local grocery store has 100 products instead of 30,000 differentiated by the Jolly Green Giant, Mr. Clean, and the Pillsbury Dough Boy. (Newsflash: The dough boy is not real). Please Zenzele, consider opening your eyes a bit and acknowledging that brands make the world more interesting. They give us choices. Entertain us. And while Disneyworld is not everyone’s cup of tea, it’s excellence is irrefutable. (Wait… this just in on the newswire… Mickey is NOT real.)

I’m getting quite tired of the faux East Village feel and snootiness of the Lark Street set, I mean, its 6 or 7 blocks of stores, restaurants and bars owned by 6 or 7 of people. It’s about time some new blood came in, regardless of the orgin of the restaurant, they serve good food, fast/friendly service and great prices…what else can you ask for?

I guess for it to be credibly, John DeJohn has to open it…

Eat, drink and be candid, with Times Union Senior Writer Steve Barnes

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